Recipe For Roasted Organic Duck!

Before meeting my husband, I have never experienced cooking a duck from the farm. My husband's parents have live chickens and ducks that they occasionally cut for us. I must say, I was pretty skeptic of cutting the duck and cooking it straight from the farm. Plus, I did not know if I would like the taste because I had tasted duck before and I was not so accepting of it. However this recipe is very good! It is my mother-in-law's recipe and I would like to share it with you. Live chickens and ducks from the farm typically take much longer to cook than store-bought poultry. Plus, you can cook the whole duck with all its "features" (which means liver, heart, neck, etc.) if you so desire.

You will need:

• A whole organic duck, cut into pieces. My mother-in-law cuts mine with her special knife and then I have a sharp knife to cut them even smaller when I want to cook them. It is not easy to cut through the bones, so make sure you have a sharp but sturdy knife. (Make sure to rinse very well!)
• 3-4 tablespoons of oil
• 1/2 to 1 cup warm water.
• Vegetables: about 2 carrots, 1/2 of one onion, and 1 large red pepper cut into medium-sized chunks.
• Seasonings: 1 teaspoon salt, 1 teaspoon black pepper, 1/4 cup chopped dill weed, 1/4cup chopped parsley, one bay leaf, and 2-3 cloves of freshly chopped garlic.
• About 4-6 potatoes, peeled and sliced into triangular pieces.

Directions:

1. In a large pan with the 3-4 tablespoons of oil, fry the duck on both sides on medium heat. Fry until it is to desired brownness. Add the water (depending on how big the duck is or how much you use of the duck, the water amount varies, make sure to put enough so you can just barely cover the duck)
2. Add your cut up vegetables and seasonings to the duck. Cover, and let simmer for 30 minutes on medium-low heat.
3. Preheat the oven to 350° And arrange the potatoes on a glass baking dish. Pour the duck mixture on top of the potatoes and let it cook in the oven for another 1-2 hours, uncovered until crisp. (A whole farm duck will most likely take 1 1/2 hours, a duck with the insides dumped takes 1 hour, and a store-bought duck will probably take 30 minutes to 45 minutes.

Very simple, yet delicious. Enjoy!

Helpful Home Secrets

I remember reading about these remedies and I would like to share what I have saved and written down. Plus there are some of my own that I think are helpful.

1. Got ink stains? Try milk! The basic milk can help to remove the absorbed stain.

2. Another shocking use of milk: dipping curtains in the liquid will make them look like new.

3. To keep potatoes from budding, place an apple in the bag!

4. Toothpaste has a lot of uses; wash crayon stains off the wall, remove pimples, deflog goggles, clean sneakers and CDs, and my favorite, rinse your hands with toothpaste after handling garlic or onion to remove that awful smell that you get for the whole day! Polish your diamonds to make them shine! Patch up holes in the wall made from nails.

5. Coca Cola might not be so good to drink but it has powerful strength for cleaning! Shine gold and silver by placing it in a cup with coke overnight. It works with coins too! Unscrew a rotting bolt with a coke-soaked cloth. Clean burnt pans by letting them soak for a little. Cleaning the toilet or tile from those hard stains can also help!

 6. Add vinegar and sugar in warm water to prolong the life of flowers in a vase!

7. To remove burnt food from pans, add a little soap and water and boil on stove top for a little while.

8. If you over-salt a dish, add a potato to absorb the salt.

9. Lavender keeps insects away and looks very pretty at an outdoor party or wedding!

10. Keep ants away by drawing with chalk. They will not pass a chalk line!

11. You want to see if an egg is fresh, immerse it in water. If it sink then it is fresh.

12. Add sugar when boiling corn to bring out natural sweetness.

13. Place a small cup of baking soda in the fridge to help with odors.

Anyone have any other helpful home secrets? Please share!

10 Inexpensive Yet Fun Family Dates to go on a Budget!

1. Parks: Parks are my favorite to visit. I love the fresh air and spacious greens. Go to a place with playgrounds so your kids can play while you share a little mommy-daddy time. After we got married and where looking for parks with playgrounds with our kids, we were shocked how many beautiful and well-maintained parks there are in our area! You can find a park where you can swim, fish, fly a kite, or go on hiking trails. Also, you can take your own picnic and enjoy the scenery. The kids can take leftover bread and feed the ducks (in places that are allowed). We have yet to go rent bicycles and explore a park (on my bucket list). By they way mamas, you can incorporate your workout by pushing the heavy strollers around the park. Plus? It's free!!

2. Sightseeing: This is another great thing to do with the family on a sunny weekend. We tend to take for granted the fantastic sights of our home state and focus on other places to see. Why not enjoy your hometown! There is plenty of sights to see. A stop by a local hotel can help you get a brochure and an idea on what to do. I have lived most of my life in Tacoma and I have never enjoyed stroll around Seattle (other then business related) and I am sure many can say the same. Try your best to park in a place where you will not have to pay a fee so you do not have to worry. Take lots of pictures and enjoy the time! Leave sometime to watch the sun go down and marvel at God's creation, not just man-made. Go out there, you might be surprised at what you find and you can remember why you still live in your state!

3. Museums and Zoos: I enjoy visiting these places. Some museums have are shows free of charge to enjoy. And some museums have art outside that you can admire without lifting your wallet. It is best to go early in the morning and then you can get your money's worth by walking around all day. Plus they give discounts for little kids and students. They also give group discounts if you want to take a whole group of families to enjoy the day.  Try to pack water bottles and snacks for the small kids so you will not have to throw your money out on the overly-priced concession stands. For the drooling mouths of the toddlers looking at the cotton candy or popcorn, give them a reward by going out to the store and buying one candy bar or dollar toy before or after.

4. Window Shopping: We have a great time going to various shopping centers and walking around. For more fun, challenge yourselves to go in stores you have never thought to go into. We will go to furniture stores and admire the pieces and go to antique shops to look at different styles. You can drive through a huge housing development. We had mansion homes on tour a couple years back and it was really interesting to see this magnificent homes and the furniture. Later, we go to a pastry and/or ice cream shop to finish off the day. Some shops have family specials that you can ask about to receive discounts.

5. Pet stores: Sounds strange? With the variety of fish and hamsters in various pet stores, The kids will have a blast looking at them. Plus, most major pet stores are located in a shopping centers so you can stop by somewhere without going out of your way. (Bonus, sometimes they have dogs and cats on display for adoption! Who knows, you might even take a furry creature home!)

6. McDonald's Play Area: Even though I am not a fan of fast food, I can not keep the kids away from the brightly-colored tunnels that adorn every block of the city. The happy meals with improvements on health such as milk and apple slices can help mothers who can not keep children away from McDonald's. And salads or wraps for the parents can help monitor that sagging waistline.Going out once in a while to get dollar sundaes and letting your kids play for a while can be fun for them. I do not encourage going often to eat there because what kids grow up with, they will visit in their adult lives. A mother who encourages healthy foods is promoting healthy kids for life!

7. Stay home: Make a fun time at home designated for only family time. You can pick up a local Christian movie to watch with the family (Some of our favorites; Fly Wheel, Fireproof, Courageous, October Baby). Not a fan of movies? Try board games! They are a great way to laugh and connect with the family. You could also bake cookies or cupcakes together for a sweet treat afterwards with hot chocolate out on the porch. Even things to do around the house can be handled all together for more closeness. Things such as painting a room together, arts and crafts, washing the car together, etc!

8. Local Events: There are different types of carnivals or fairs that most likely open once a year in your area. You can afford to splurge once a year and not worry about the cost if you save up. Admissions for children and students is usually free. As a family, decide how many tickets or tokens each of you will get so you spend them wisely and there will be no asking for more. Plus, you will not keep buying tickets at what seems like a low price but builds up in the long run. Buy only what you need at the boutiques. There will be amazing kitchen utensils and make-your-life easier pedicure sets but you need to stop and think if you will ever use them. Some families are determined to take a picture each year at the fair. Maybe start a new tradition if the price is to much to handle. We bought a set of 25 small canvases that you can combine and change the pictures anytime you want, all from your home printer. Now we can take a picture with our camera and come home and print out on a canvas for a bigger, better, and cheaper frame! The food is always a tug on your wallet yet the mouth-watering smells are hard to resist. Try to pick one food stand that your family agrees on and buy a bundle there. It will be cheaper and you can mix it up with different varieties of food for everyone to try.

9. Restaurants: Eating out does not always have to be expensive. If it is done once in a while and in moderation, it is smart dining. You could try a buffet or small cafe. Some restaurants have specials available and some have extra savings if you sign up for their email list. Make sure you do not come to a restaurant starving after not eating all day. Everything on the menu will look good, even things you do not normally order. Order water or tea instead of those fancy drinks with the fruit on the side (except for special occasions like birthdays!) and order only one appetizer for the table. Since you end up taking a to-go box anyway, why not split your meal with the kids? Then you can get dessert. :)

10. Visit a farm or orchard: A great day can include a day at the farm. The kids will have a fantastic time learning about new ways of life that are not typical in the city and you will have fun as well! There are TONS of stuff to do at a farm! Petting farm areas, corn mazes, hay jumping, etc! Go in the late spring when the mamas have their babies to see little chicks and baby goats. Check out your local area, there are farms that give free tours and wagon rides! Some farms let you pick some organic fruits to take home. You might pay more for them then at the store but you get a huge box some of which you can take and freeze them for smoothies or pies later!

Marriage is not something one tries on for size and then decides whether to keep; it is rather something one decides with a promise and then bends every effort to keep -Leon R. Kass

Recipe for Sweet Dough Braids!

I wanted to post this delicious and simple recipe to all you viewers out there. My husband is not a fan of really sweet desserts so this is a perfect treat with a warm cup of tea that will not override your sweet tooth. They are a hit at parties and tea get-togethers. I hope you will enjoy!

Prep time: 30-45 minutes depending on experience with braids.  Total time: 1 hour 30 minutes

                  Yields approximately 24 cookies.

You will need:

For the dough:

• 1/2 cup unsalted butter (1 stick of butter)
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1 egg
• 4 tablespoons sour cream (any kind, I use regular not light)
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
• 2 1/2 cup flour

For the top decor:

• The yolk of two eggs in a separate bowl to rub on the braids (discard the egg white)
• Any kinds of topping you choose, I use crushed walnuts, cinnamon, sugar, and poppy seeds.

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°.
2. Mix the dough ingredients in the order they are written, adding 1/2 a cup flour each time you stir. I use my mixing utensil to mix but you can use an electronic mixer if you choose, just not for the flour part.
3. Roll out the dough on the counter top in a flat ball. Use more flour to cover the counter top and the dough ball as needed.
4. Cut the dough into four equal pieces and roll the pieces into round log shapes. Cut them into one inch sections. (This part can be hard to explain so I added pictures)















5. Here comes the hardest part of the recipe, though it is quite easy once you get the hang of it. With your fingers, press the one inch pieces into a flat oval shaped design. Cut two slits in the oval shape two make three even pieces. Make sure to leave some room at the top so it can be connected.

6. Braid the three pieces together and attach them at the end by pressing tightly. Since the dough will be soft, try to braid without picking up the whole piece but by overlapping each one on the counter top. 

7. With a pastry brush, rub the egg yolk on top on the braids very lightly. This will help keep your decor on the braids and will give them a nice golden color. Add your toppings!
8.  Bake in the oven for 18 to 15 minutes or until they are golden brown. Enjoy!

First Post, the fun begins!

I have finally got up the nerve to start a blog, which in my opinion, is a huge achievement for me! I love to write and inspire others, so that’s why I am here!

I have chosen the name divine union to describe marriage in a sacred completion of combining a man and woman together forever. My blog will contain christian views on marriage.

I hope this blog can let all of you readers you there smile, laugh, and learn new things from my perspective. My blog will include various things that will pop into my head. Things such as recipes, discussions on married life, creative projects, advice columns, etc!! I am very excited to start and I hope you are too! Welcome!